Question

what is the main criticism bernard williams raises against utilitarianism? by attempting to maximize happiness for the greatest number of people, not the individuals happiness, utilitarians misapply the greatest happiness principle. utilitarians ignore the role our commitments (convictions/projects) play in what we choose do. utilitarians fail to distinguish between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. an action is moral only if it is a duty commanded by god, not what maximizes happiness for the greatest number of people. none of the above

Explanation:

Bernard Williams criticized utilitarianism for ignoring the role of personal commitments (convictions/projects) in decision - making. Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall happiness but can lead to situations where an individual has to abandon their core values and commitments. For example, in his thought experiments, a person may be forced to act in a way that goes against their deep - seated beliefs just to achieve a greater good in the utilitarian sense.

• The first option is incorrect because the Greatest Happiness Principle is about maximizing happiness for the greatest number, and utilitarians do not misapply it in that sense.
• The third option is wrong as the distinction between act and rule utilitarianism is a different internal debate within utilitarianism and not Williams' main criticism.
• The fourth option is a deontological (divine command theory) view, not Williams' criticism of utilitarianism.

Answer:

Utilitarians ignore the role our commitments (convictions/projects) play in what we choose do.